Derivative Function Applet - Java Applet that can help you see how the slope of the tangent at every input on a function can be itself be a new output of a new function which is the derivative of the given function

Derivative as the Slope of the Tangent - Java Applet that can help you see how the slope of the tangent at every input on a function can be itself be a new output of a new function which is the derivative of the given function

Questions answered by this video:

How can you draw the graph of the derivative of a function if you are given the graph of the initial function?

How do you find the slope of a function at every point along its curve?

What does the derivative of a cubic function look like?

Why is the derivative of a cubic function a quadratic function?

What is the relationship between the graph of a function and the graph of its derivative?

How do you know where the graph of a derivative function passes through 0, has a minimum or maximum, and is increasing or decreasing?

Can multiple functions all have the same derivative curve?

Staff Review:

This lesson shows how to take the graph of a function and draw the graph of its derivative. This is done by plotting the slope of the function at many different points and then connecting them in a curve. The concepts behind the process of drawing the derivative function are explained very well. One derivative graph is drawn with a java applet and the next is drawn by hand.